Propeller hub assembly having overlap zone with optional removable exhaust ring and sized ventilation plugs

Abstract

A propeller hub assembly having a through-hub exhaust propeller hub characterized by an interior overlap zone defined by the composite interior dimensions of a selected number of conventional propeller hubs and optionally fitted with a removable exhaust ring and/or sized ventilation plugs. The hub assembly of this invention includes specially designed driver adaptors for insertion in the overlap zone of a universal propeller hub and accommodating corresponding conventional OEM factory thrust washers normally used in the conventional propeller hubs. The overlap zone design facilitates installation of the propeller hub assembly on any conventional lower unit outdrive utilizing the OEM factory thrust washers and corresponding driver adaptors. The exhaust ring and sized ventilation plugs facilitate optimum engine exhaust porting through the hub assembly for various applications, such as racing and other high performance operation.

1. A propeller hub assembly for mounting on an outdrive comprising a propeller hub having an overlap zone and a drive adaptor connected to the outdrive and seated in said propeller hub and extending into said overlap zone and driving said propeller hub responsive to operation of the outdrive and at least one ventilation plug provided in said propeller hub and at least one step seal provided in said ventilation plug for selectively venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub responsive to removal of said at least one step seal. 
   
   
     2. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one step seal comprises a plurality of step seals of varying diameter. 
   
   
     3. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 2  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     4. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 2  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     5. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 1  comprising a removable exhaust ring provided on said propeller hub; a plurality of band seats provided in said exhaust ring; and at least one exhaust ring port provided in said band seats for venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub. 
   
   
     6. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 5  comprising at least one ventilation plug provided in said propeller hub and at least one step seal provided in said ventilation plug for selectively venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub responsive to removal of said at least one step seal. 
   
   
     7. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 6  wherein said at least one step seal comprises three step seals. 
   
   
     8. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 7  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     9. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 7  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     10. A propeller hub assembly for mounting on the outdrive of an engine and using an OEM factory thrust washer, said propeller hub assembly comprising a propeller hub; a driver mount provided in said propeller hub, said driver mount defining an overlap zone in said propeller hub; a driver adaptor connected to the outdrive, said driver adaptor inserted in said driver mount and said driver adaptor compatible with the OEM factory thrust washer, wherein said propeller hub is driven responsive to rotation of said driver adaptor by operation of the outdrive; and a removable exhaust ring provided on said propeller hub; a plurality of band seats provided in said exhaust ring; and at least one exhaust ring port provided in said band seats for venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub. 
   
   
     11. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 10  comprising at least one ventilation plug provided in said propeller hub and at least one step seal provided in said ventilation plug for selectively venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub responsive to removal of said at least one step seal. 
   
   
     12. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 11  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     13. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 11  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     14. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 11  wherein said at least one step seal comprises a plurality of step seals of varying diameter. 
   
   
     15. The propeller of  claim 14  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     16. The propeller of  claim 14  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     17. A propeller hub assembly for mounting on the outdrive of an engine comprising a propeller hub; a drive adaptor connected to the outdrive and seated in said propeller hub for driving said propeller hub responsive to operation of the outdrive; a ventilation plug provided in said propeller hub and a plurality of step seals of varying diameter provided in said ventilation plug for selectively venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub responsive to selective removal of said step seals. 
   
   
     18. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 17  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     19. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 17  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     20. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 17  comprising a removably exhaust ring provided on said propeller hub; a plurality of band seats provided in said exhaust ring; and at least one exhaust ring port provided in said band seats for venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub. 
   
   
     21. A propeller hub assembly for mounting on the outdrive of an engine comprising a propeller hub, a drive adaptor connected to the outdrive and seated in said propeller hub for driving said propeller hub responsive to operation of the outdrive; a removable exhaust ring provided on said propeller hub; a plurality of band seats provided on said exhaust ring and a plurality of exhaust ring ports provided in selected ones of said band seats for venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub. 
   
   
     22. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 21  comprising at least one ventilation plug provided in said propeller hub and at least one step seal provided in said ventilation plug for selectively venting exhaust gas from said propeller hub responsive to removal of said at least one step seal. 
   
   
     23. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 22  wherein said at least one step seal comprises three step seals of varying diameter. 
   
   
     24. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 22  comprising hub threads provided in said propeller hub and plug threads provided on said ventilation plug, said plug threads engaging said hub threads and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub. 
   
   
     25. The propeller hub assembly of  claim 22  comprising a groove provided on said propeller hub and a plug seal provided on said ventilation plug, said plug seal removably engaging said groove and removably securing said ventilation plug in said propeller hub.